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Sand Calculator

By · Updated Jul 2026

Estimate sand in tons and cubic yards for base layers, fill, bedding, and masonry projects.

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US Tons (with waste)
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Cubic Yards
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How to Use
  1. Enter area - length and width of the space.
  2. Set depth - 1" for paver bedding, 2-4" for leveling, 4-12" for fill.
  3. Adjust density - 100 lb/ft³ for dry loose sand. Wet sand weighs significantly more.
  4. Add waste - 10% standard. Sand compresses and spreads - some loss is inevitable.
  5. Order by weight - sand is sold by the ton. One cubic yard ≈ 1.35 tons (dry).
Quick answer

To find how much sand you need, multiply length x width x depth (in feet) for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Sand is sold by the ton, and one cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 1.35 tons (2,700 lb). A 10 x 10 ft area at a 1-inch paver bedding depth needs about 0.3 cubic yards - roughly half a ton. Enter your dimensions above for exact tons, cubic yards, and coverage.

How Much Sand Do I Need?

Sand is one of those materials where estimating by eye almost always leads to over- or under-ordering. The volume seems small until you realize that one cubic yard of sand weighs about 2,700 pounds (1.35 tons). A 1-inch bedding layer under pavers for a 10 × 10 ft patio takes roughly a third of a cubic yard - that's about half a ton of sand.

Sand density varies significantly based on moisture and type. Dry loose sand weighs about 100 lb/ft³, but wet packed sand can reach 130 lb/ft³ or more. If your sand has been rained on or stored outdoors, it will weigh 20-30% more than the dry figure. Adjust the density field accordingly.

Sand Coverage by Depth

How far sand goes depends entirely on depth. The table shows how much area one cubic yard and one ton of sand cover at common depths. Cubic-yard figures are exact; per-ton figures assume damp, delivered sand (about 18 cubic feet per ton):

DepthCoverage per cubic yardCoverage per ton
1 inch324 sq ft~215 sq ft
2 inches162 sq ft~108 sq ft
3 inches108 sq ft~72 sq ft
4 inches81 sq ft~54 sq ft
6 inches54 sq ft~36 sq ft
12 inches27 sq ft~18 sq ft

A handy reference: one cubic yard covers about 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep, and one ton of damp sand covers roughly the same at 2 inches. For a 1-inch paver bedding layer, a single ton stretches over about 215 sq ft. These are dry/damp planning figures - wet sand is heavier and covers slightly less per ton.

How Sand Sits Under Pavers

Pavers Compacted gravel base Compacted subgrade 1 in sand 4-6 in base sand
The sand under pavers is a thin 1-inch bedding layer for leveling - not a structural base. The load is carried by the 4-6 inch compacted gravel base beneath it. A common mistake is pouring sand thick to skip the gravel: thick sand compresses unevenly and the pavers settle. Keep the sand at 1 inch and build the depth with gravel.

Sand Types, Density & Uses

Not all sand is the same - density varies significantly by type, which affects how many tons you need per cubic yard. Septic system sand is graded to strict specifications:

Sand TypeDensity (lb/ft³)Tons per yd³Best For
Play sand901.22Sandboxes, volleyball courts
Mason sand1001.35Mortar mix, paver bedding, pools
Concrete sand1051.42Concrete mix, under-slab base
Fill sand1101.49Backfill, grading, drainage
Torpedo sand1151.55Drainage, pipe bedding
Washed septic sand100-1051.35-1.42Septic drain fields, mound systems
Septic filter sand95-1001.28-1.35Septic filter beds, sand filters
Clean washed sand (septic)1001.35Leach field fill, mound base

Septic system sand must meet local health department specifications - typically ASTM C33 or similar. Bulk density of washed septic sand is typically 1.35-1.42 tons per cubic yard dry. Wet septic sand weighs 10-15% more. Always confirm with your supplier.

Formulas

Volume and weight calculation:

Volume (ft³) = Length × Width × (Depth ÷ 12)
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
Weight (tons) = Volume × Density ÷ 2,000
Bags (50 lb) = Weight (lb) ÷ 50

Dry loose sand: ~100 lb/ft³. Wet sand: ~120-130 lb/ft³. Always confirm with your supplier whether they sell by dry or wet weight.

Septic Sand Calculator - How Much Sand for a Drain Field or Mound System

Septic system installations require specific sand grades that meet local health department codes - typically ASTM C33 washed sand or equivalent. The quantity depends on the system type, bed size, and required sand depth. Use the calculator above to estimate tons and cubic yards, then cross-check against the table below for typical residential systems:

System typeBed size (typical)Sand depth requiredSand needed (tons)
Standard trench drain field100-200 lin ft6-12 inches8-20 tons
Bed-style drain field400-800 sq ft12 inches12-25 tons
Mound system (small lot)400-600 sq ft24-36 inches of fill30-60 tons
Mound system (standard)600-1,000 sq ft24-48 inches of fill50-100 tons
Sand filter system200-400 sq ft24-36 inches15-35 tons
Drip irrigation fieldvaries6 inches bedding only5-12 tons

Septic sand must be clean, washed, and free of silt, clay, and organic material. Bulk density is typically 1.35-1.42 tons per cubic yard dry. Always verify your county's specific sand specification before ordering - some jurisdictions require lab-tested ASTM C33, others accept locally graded equivalents. Your septic engineer's design drawings will specify the exact volume required.

Septic Sand Density - Reference Values

The most common question contractors and installers have when ordering septic sand is the bulk density in tons per cubic yard, because suppliers quote by the ton but system designs are in cubic yards or cubic feet. The standard reference value for clean washed septic-grade sand is 1.35 tons per cubic yard (2,700 lbs/yd³) dry. Wet septic sand - as delivered from most suppliers - weighs 10-15% more, typically 1.45-1.55 tons per cubic yard.

To convert: if your design calls for 50 cubic yards of mound fill sand, multiply by 1.35 to get 67.5 dry tons, or by 1.50 to account for wet delivery weight (75 tons). Always ask your supplier whether they sell by dry ton or wet ton - the difference on a large mound system can be 10-15 tons and several hundred dollars.

Next Steps

Sand figured, finish the base or fill:

  1. Set the paversThe bedding sand goes under a paver field - size the pavers too.
  2. Pour a slabSand often levels the base beneath a concrete slab.
  3. Add the gravel baseA compacted gravel base usually sits under the bedding sand.

Related Calculators

Aggregate CalculatorCoarser aggregate.Pool Volume CalculatorBase sand under a pool liner.Asphalt CalculatorHot-mix tonnage by area and depth.Brick CalculatorBricks and mortar for walls.

Sand is used for bedding under pavers and gravel. Browse the full construction calculator collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep should sand be under pavers?
The standard bedding sand layer under pavers is 1 inch deep (after compaction). This thin, consistent layer allows pavers to be set level and provides slight flexibility for minor adjustments. Do not use more than 1 inch - thicker sand layers compress unevenly over time and cause pavers to settle and shift. The sand layer sits on top of a 4-6 inch compacted gravel base.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
A 50 lb bag of sand holds about 0.5 cubic feet, and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes roughly 54 bags to equal one cubic yard. For a 10 × 10 ft paver bedding layer at 1 inch deep (about 8.3 cubic feet), you would need around 17 bags. Above about half a cubic yard, bulk delivery by the ton is far cheaper than bagged sand.
How many tons of sand are in a cubic yard?
Dry sand weighs approximately 2,600-2,900 lbs per cubic yard (1.3-1.45 tons). Wet or compacted sand is heavier at up to 3,300 lbs/yd³. For ordering purposes, use 1.35 tons per cubic yard as a safe planning estimate. Suppliers sell sand by the ton or by the cubic yard - confirm units before ordering to avoid calculation errors.
What type of sand should I use under pavers?
Use coarse, washed concrete sand (also called bedding sand or leveling sand) - not fine play sand or mason sand. Coarse sand drains well, resists compaction over time, and provides a stable screed surface. Polymeric sand is used to fill the joints between pavers after installation - it hardens when wet and locks pavers in place while remaining flexible.
What type of sand should I use?
Sand type matters for the application. For paver bedding and screeding: coarse concrete sand (ASTM C33). For mortar and stucco: mason sand (finer, more uniform). For children's play areas: washed play sand (no sharp edges or contaminants). For drainage behind retaining walls: clean angular washed sand or pea gravel. Avoid fill sand (ungraded, contains silt) for any application requiring drainage or stability.
How much does sand weigh per cubic yard?
Sand weight varies with moisture and grain size, but a typical range is roughly 2,400 to 3,000 lb per cubic yard. If you're ordering by the ton, confirm the supplier's density assumption.
How much septic sand do I need for a mound system?
A standard residential mound system typically requires 50-100 tons of clean washed sand depending on bed size and required fill depth. A 600 sq ft mound with 36 inches of fill needs approximately 67 cubic yards - about 90 tons at 1.35 tons/yd3 dry. Your septic engineer's design specifies the exact volume. Always add 10% for settling and compaction losses.
What is the density of septic sand in tons per cubic yard?
Clean washed septic-grade sand has a bulk density of approximately 1.35 tons per cubic yard dry (2,700 lbs/yd3). Wet sand as delivered typically runs 1.45-1.55 tons per cubic yard. For ordering, use 1.35 t/yd3 as your baseline and confirm with your supplier whether they bill by dry or wet ton - the difference on a large mound system can be 10-15 tons.
Does septic sand need to meet ASTM C33?
Most jurisdictions require septic system sand to meet ASTM C33 or a local equivalent - clean, washed, well-graded, and free of clay, silt, and organic material. Some counties require a lab sieve analysis before installation. Check with your local health department or septic engineer before ordering - wrong-grade sand can fail inspection and require costly removal.
Updated Jul 2026 · See our Methodology
These results are planning-grade estimates, not engineering measurements. Actual requirements vary by site conditions, mix design, compaction, and local codes. Always verify with your supplier and a licensed contractor. See our Data Sources and Methodology.